Curriculum for the 21st Century Teaching and Learning

Some of the emerging factors or conditions frequently mentioned in various formal discussion, dialogues

that will shape the curriculum of the century include the following:

• 1. Globalization of economies where power is centered in Asia with China leading.

• 2. Dependence on international markets that need global perspectives from entrepreneurs and workers

• 3. Increased concern and positive actions about environment degradation, water and energy shortage.

• 4. Nations competing for power blocks – this would require understanding for the need to build alliances.

• 5. Internationalization of employment due to increased global migration

• 6 . Science and Technology edge as drivers of gaining economic edge.

• 7. The knowledge economy as the generator of most wealth and jobs.

Emerging Curricula for the 21st Century Learner

• What curricula should schools have for the 21st century?

• Curricularists say that the 21st Century curricula should be inspiring and challenging for both the teachers and learners. ACARA in 2012 mentions the following characteristics of a curriculum.

• 1. It should provide appropriate knowledge, skills, understanding and capabilities to face the future with confidence. ( interdisciplinary, connected to the community local, national global.

• 2. It should be based on strong evidence drawn from reaserch. (research driven)

• 3. It should be a product of highly consultative, collaborative development process. (co-development).

• 4 It is a curriculum that supports excellence and equity for all learners. (multicultural)

• 5. It is accessible and ready for schools, teachers, parents, and the broader community ( sustainable)

The Global Classroom20

thCentury

Classrooms

21st

Century

Classrooms

• 20th Century Classrooms

• Time-based

• Focus: memorization of discrete facts

• Lessons focus on the lower level of Bloom’s Taxonomy –knowledge, comprehension and application.

• Textbook-driven

• Passive learning

• Learners work in isolation –classroom within 4 walls

• Teacher-centered: teacher is center of attention and provider of information

• Little to no student freedom

• “Discipline problems – educators do not trust students and vice versa. No student motivation.

• Fragmented curriculum

• Grades averaged

• Low expectations

• Teacher is judge. No one else sees student work.

• Curriculum/School is irrelevant and meaningless to the students.

• Print is the primary vehicle of learning and assessment.

• Diversity in students is ignored.

• Literacy is the 3 R’s – reading, writing and math.

21st Century Classrooms• Outcome-based• Focus: what students Know, Can

Do and Are Like after all the details are forgotten.

• Learning is designed on upper levels of Blooms’ – synthesis, analysis and evaluation (and include lower levels as curriculum is designed down from the top.)

• Research-driven• Active Learning• Learners work collaboratively

with classmates and others around the world – the Global Classroom

• Student-centered: teacher is facilitator/coach

• Great deal of student freedom

• No “discipline problems” –students and teaches have mutually respectful relationship as co-learners; students are highly motivated.

• Integrated and Interdisciplinary curriculum

• Grades based on what was learned

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•

• High expectations – “If it isn’t good it isn’t done.” We expect, and ensure, that all students succeed in learning at high levels. Some may go higher – we get out of their way to let them do that.

• Self, Peer and Other assessments. Public audience, authentic assessments.

•

• Curriculum is connected to students’ interests, experiences, talents and the real world.

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• Performances, projects and multiple forms of media are used for learning and assessment

•

• Curriculum and instruction address student diversity

• Multiple literacies of the 21st century – aligned to living and working in a globalized new millennium - aural & visual literacy, financial literacy, ecoliteracy, media literacy, information literacy, cyberliteracy, emotional literacy, physical fitness/health, and global competencies.

• 21st century model.

Thus from the descriptions of two contrasting classroom, the critical attributes of the 21st century

curriculum and education are:

• Integrated and interdisciplinary

• Global Classroom/ Globalization

• Student centered

• Research-driven

• Technologies and media

• 21st Century Skills

• Relevant, rigorous and real world

• Adapting to and creating constant personal and social change and lifelong learning.

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